WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks were back in action for the back end of a home-and-home against the rival (and OUA West division-leading) Waterloo Warriors. After an evenly played first half, the second half turned out to be their undoing in losing the Battle of Waterloo 65-46. 

Laurier went through some shooting struggles to begin the game, going just 21% percent from the field. The Golden Hawks also committed seven turnovers, leading to the Warriors taking a 15-10 lead after the opening frame.

The second quarter was a completely opposite game, with Laurier dominating the play. The scoring was led by Alexa Sawchuk, recording six points on a pair of threes. She would finish the game as one of two Golden Hawks in double-digit scoring figures.

The other was second-year guard Cassidy Hirtle, who replicated her five points from the first quarter. She would go on to record 16 points and 11 rebounds for her first career OUA double-double.

Along with out-scoring the Warriors 15-11, the Golden Hawks were all over the glass, grabbing 12 rebounds - four of which were on the offensive end. 

Waterloo played a very clean quarter by not turning the ball over, but the Hawks were dialled in from behind the arc, shooting 43 percent from distance. At the end of the first half, Laurier trailed Waterloo just 26-25. 

The second half is where Waterloo really began taking control of the game though. Laurier shot poorly from the field, hitting just six of 41 shots, with every bucket being made from beyond the arc. 

At the other end, Waterloo made just over 40 percent of their shots in third and fourth quarters combined. While both teams were fairly even in the rebounding and turnover battle, the story of this game was shooting, and Waterloo was able to convert more chances than the Hawks. 

Laurier did go on some stretches to close the lead in the third, however, scoring just nine points in the fourth allowed Waterloo to pull away and win the game by 19.


TOP PERFORMERS

Laurier Golden Hawks
Cassidy Hirtle
Hirtle played a good game, recording her first career OUA double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Along with this, the third-year guard dropped two dimes and a steal in the loss.

Waterloo Warriors
Kaitlyn Overeem
Overeem played another great game against the Hawks, dropping 15 points and six rebounds while also assisting on two baskets and recording a pair of steals.


UP NEXT
Laurier (5-13) hosts Algoma (0-18) in back-to-back home games in hopes to break their four-game losing skid. The first game is set for Friday, February 10th at 6 PM. 

Follow @WLUAthletics on Twitter for live updates and watch live on OUA.tv.